Deodorized trash container

ABSTRACT

An open-topped container having a deodorant, an outer surface, an inner surface, and a vent hole extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The inner surface defines a storage cavity and supports a trash bag, and the outer surface defines an exterior of the container. The deodorant is attached to the outer surface and is sufficiently distal to the inner surface for increasing the storage space within the storage cavity. The storage cavity and the exterior are in communication through the deodorant and the vent hole so as to deodorize the open-topped container and easily remove the trash bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/651,266, entitled “E-Z PULL SCENTED TRASH CAN,” filed onFeb. 9, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to trash containers, and moreparticularly to a deodorized trash container with an increased storagecapacity and easy removal of trash bags therefrom.

BACKGROUND

Trash containers play a central role in temporarily storing trash onvarious sites prior to transportation to waste facilities. These trashcontainers are pervasively utilized in restaurants, office buildings,hospitals, residences, parks, shopping malls, and various other modernday dwellings.

One known trash container is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,151. Thiscontainer has a lower sidewall portion with an opening therein fordrawing air into the container while a trash bag is removed from thecontainer. Accordingly, the vented container prevents a vacuum fromforming between the trash bag and the container and thus decreases theforce required to remove the trash bag. This feature is particularlybeneficial for somewhat large industrial applications as relativelylarge trash bags can hold a generally large mass of garbage and thusalready be somewhat difficult to lift.

In addition, the lower sidewall portion of this container includes anair freshener and an overhang protrusion. Namely, the air freshenerextends from the opening and radially into the container. In this way,the air freshener deodorizes the air, which is drawn into the containerand possibly emanating therefrom. The overhang protrusion of thesidewall extends into the container and over the air freshener. Putanother way, the air freshener is disposed underneath the overhangprotrusion of the sidewall so as to prevent a substantially large massof trash from crushing the air freshener. However, it will beappreciated that the overhang protrusion can snag the trash bag and tearthe bag as it is removed from the container. Alternatively, the overhangprotrusion can locally increase stress in the trash bag and thereforecause the trash bag to rupture under the weight of the trash. It is alsounderstood that the overhang protrusion and the air freshener candecrease the amount of available storage space within the container.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a deodorizing trash containerthat minimizes unpleasant odors typically associated with trashcontainers, easily releases trash bags secured to the containers, andhas a substantially large amount of storage space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a deodorizing trashcontainer, which is an open-topped container having a deodorant, anouter surface, an inner surface, and a vent hole extending between theouter surface and the inner surface. The inner surface defines a storagecavity and supports a trash bag, and the outer surface defines anexterior of the container. The deodorant is attached to the outersurface and is sufficiently distal to the inner surface for increasingthe storage space within the storage cavity. The storage cavity and theexterior are in communication through the deodorant so as to deodorizethe open-topped container and easily remove the trash bag.

One advantage of the present invention is that a deodorized trashcontainer is provided that prevents a trash bag from becoming snagged onthe container, or torn while the trash bag is removed from thecontainer.

Another advantage of the present invention is that a deodorized trashcontainer is provided that minimizes or masks unpleasant odors typicallyreleased from a trash container when a trash bag is removed therefrom.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that a deodorizedtrash container is provided that evenly supports a trash bag and thusprevents the trash bag from rupturing.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that a deodorizedtrash container is provided that eliminates a vacuum between thecontainer and a trash bag so as to decrease the force required to removethe trash bag.

Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent uponconsidering the following detailed description and appended claims, andupon reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference shouldnow be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in theaccompanying drawings and described below by way of the examples of theinvention:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a deodorized trash container, accordingto one advantageous embodiment of the claimed invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the deodorized trash container shownin FIG. 1, as taken along line 2-2;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are partially cutaway frontal views of a deodorized trashcontainer, illustrating a deodorant being attached to the trashcontainer, according to an alternative embodiment of the claimedinvention; and

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of a deodorized trashcontainer, respectively illustrating the container as taken along lines5A-5A and 5B-5B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used toidentify the same components in the various views.

The present invention is particularly suited for a deodorized trashcontainer. In particular, the described embodiments detail the containerhaving a trash bag installed therein for storing trash. In this way, theembodiments described herein employ structural features where thecontext permits. However, various other embodiments are contemplatedhaving different combinations of the described features, having featuresother than those described herein, or lacking one or more of thosefeatures. For instance, the container can be utilized without a trashbag and/or store various other items as desired. It is thereforecontemplated that the invention can be carried out in a variety of othermodes and utilized for other suitable applications as desired.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a front plan view of a deodorizedtrash container 10, according to one advantageous embodiment of theclaimed invention. As detailed in the description for FIG. 2, thedeodorized trash container 10 has a vent hole 12 and a deodorant 14 forminimizing unpleasant odors typically associated with trash, easilyremoving a trash bag 16 from the deodorized trash container 10, andincreasing available storage space within the container 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the deodorized trash container 10 is comprised of anopen-topped container 18, a cover 20, the vent hole 12, and thedeodorant 14.

The open-topped container 18 includes a top end portion 22, a bottom endportion 24, and a longitudinal axis 26 extending between the top endportion 22 and the bottom end portion 24. The top end portion 22 has thecover 20 extending thereacross. In this way, the cover conceals trashstored within the open-topped container 18 and traps odors emanatingfrom therein.

This cover 20 is comprised of a lid shell 28 and a swivel door 30 thatis pivotally attached to the lid shell 28. However, it is contemplatedthat the cover 20 can have other suitable constructions and can even beomitted from the deodorized trash container 10.

The open-topped container 18 has a bottom plate portion 32 and a tubularshell portion 34 extending from the bottom plate portion 32. The tubularshell portion 34 increases in diameter from the bottom end portion 24.It is understood that the tubular shell portion 34 provides onegenerally circular sidewall portion extending from the bottom plateportion 32. However, it is contemplated that the open-topped container18 can instead have more than one sidewall portion with a variety ofother suitable cross-sectional shapes as desired. As shown in FIG. 1, itwill be appreciated that the tubular shell portion 34 diverges from thelongitudinal axis 26 distal to the bottom plate portion 32.

With attention now to FIG. 2, the open-topped container 18 has an outersurface 36, an inner surface 38, and the vent hole 12 extending betweenthe outer surface 36 and the inner surface 38. The inner surface 38defines a storage cavity 40 and supports a trash bag 16. Further, theouter surface 38 defines an exterior 42 and has the deodorant 14attached thereto with the deodorant 14 extending substantially acrossthe vent hole 12. In this way, the deodorant 14 deodorizes the air asthe air is drawn into the open-topped container 18. In particular, adrop in pressure within the cavity 40, e.g. as caused by the removal ofthe trash bag 16, produces a flow of air from the exterior 42 throughthe deodorant 14 and the vent hole 12 and into the cavity 40.

In this embodiment, the deodorant 14 is attached to the outer surface 36of the open-topped container 18 by one or more snap-fit fasteners. Inparticular, the snap-fit fasteners include a tubular resilient arm 44extending from the deodorant 14 with an annular detent barb 46protruding radially outward from the tubular resilient arm 44. To thatend, the tubular resilient arm 44 extends through the vent hole 12 withthe annular detent barb 46 contacting the inner surface 38 of theopen-topped container 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the annular detent barb 46is received within a recess 48 in the inner surface 38 of theopen-topped container 18. Put another way, the deodorant 14 and theannular detent barb 46 are sufficiently distal to the inner surface 38for enhancing the storage space of the open-topped container 18 andpreventing the trash bag 16 from becoming snagged by the deodorant 14and/or the detent barb 46.

Also, as best shown in FIG. 1, the tubular shell 34 extendssubstantially straight from the bottom plate portion 32 and thus issmoothly contoured for easily removing the trash bag 16 from theopen-topped container 18 without becoming snagged onto or torn by thetubular shell 34.

Also in this embodiment, the outer surface 36 of the open-toppedcontainer 18 has a pair of linear resilient arms 50 extending therefromwith a pair of linear detent barbs 52. In this way, during installation,the deodorant 14 forces the linear resilient arms 50 outward until thedeodorant 14 is received between the linear resilient arms 50 and thelinear detent barbs 52 secure the deodorant 14 to the outer surface 36of the open-topped container 18.

It is contemplated that the snap-fit fasteners can instead have variousother suitable constructions rather than the linear detent barb 52, thelinear resilient arm 50, the tubular resilient arm 44, and the annulardetent barb 46.

For instance, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 through 5B, thesnap-fit fastener is a cam fastener 54 having a length (L) (shown inFIG. 5A) and a width (W) (shown in FIG. 5B), which is substantially lessthan the length (L). Furthermore, the vent hole 12 is sized forreceiving the cam fastener 54, which upon rotation of the deodorant 14attaches the cam fastener 54 to the outer surface 36 of the open-toppedcontainer 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5A and 5B, the deodorant 14 is comprised of aplastic clam-shell housing 56 with a pair of opposing shell portions 58a, 58 b and a series of channels 60 therein. These channels 60 have aporous deodorizing material 62 therein. In this embodiment, the porousdeodorizing material 62 is a scented fibrous material. However, thedeodorizing material 62 can be unscented and/or comprised of a varietyof other materials as desired. Also, the tubular resilient arm 44defines a hollow core 64 in communication with the channels 60.Accordingly, the deodorant 14 directs air through the channels 60, thedeodorizing material 62, and the hollow core 64 and into the cavity 40of the open-topped container 18.

Also, in this embodiment, the bottom end portion 24 of the open-toppedcontainer 18 has a foot brace flange 66 extending radially outwardtherefrom. The foot brace flange 66 extends between two to six inchesfrom the periphery of the tubular shell portion 34 for the container 18.Accordingly, a user may step on the foot brace flange 66 while he liftsthe trash bag 16. In this respect, the trash bag 16 can be more easilyremoved from the trash container 10.

It will be appreciated that the flange 66 can instead extend directlyfrom the bottom plate portion 24. Also, it is understood that the flange66 can extend from one or more smaller portions of the container 18rather than from the entire periphery of the container 18. It is furthercontemplated that the foot brace flange 66 can be sized larger orsmaller than the range of two to six inches. In this way, awheelchair-bound individual can readily roll his wheelchair onto theflange 66 and easily remove the trash bag 16.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is notlimited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in theart, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, itis intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A deodorized trash container comprising: an open-topped container having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a vent hole extending between said outer surface and said inner surface; said inner surface defining a storage cavity and supporting a trash bag; said outer surface defining an exterior; and a deodorant attached to said outer surface and sufficiently distal to said inner surface for increasing storage space within said storage cavity; said storage cavity and said exterior in communication through said deodorant for deodorizing said open-topped container and easily removing said trash bag from said open-topped container.
 2. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 1 wherein said deodorant extends substantially across said vent hole.
 3. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 1 wherein said deodorant is attached to said outer surface by at least one snap-fit fastener.
 4. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one snap-fit fastener is at least one resilient arm extending from said outer surface of said open-topped container with said at least one resilient arm having a detent structure securing said deodorant to said outer surface.
 5. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 3 wherein said at least one snap-fit fastener is at least one resilient arm extending from said deodorant and through said vent hole with said at least one resilient arm having a detent structure contacting said inner surface and securing said deodorant to said outer surface of said open-topped container.
 6. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 5 wherein said detent structure is releasably attached to a recess formed within said inner surface.
 7. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 1 wherein said deodorant is attached to said outer surface by a cam fastener.
 8. A deodorized trash container comprising: an open-topped container comprised of a bottom plate portion and at least one sidewall portion extending from said bottom plate portion; said at least one sidewall portion and said bottom plate portion having an outer surface and an inner surface; said inner surface defining a storage cavity and supporting a trash bag; said outer surface defining an exterior; and a vent hole extending between said outer surface and said inner surface; a deodorant attached to said outer surface and sufficiently distal to said inner surface for increasing storage space within said storage cavity; said storage cavity and said exterior in communication through said deodorant and said vent hole for deodorizing said open-topped container and easily removing said trash bag from said open-topped container; said at least one sidewall portion extending substantially straight from said bottom plate portion and minimizing stress on said trash bag.
 9. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 8 wherein said open-topped container has a longitudinal axis with said at least one sidewall portion extending from said bottom plate portion and diverging from said longitudinal axis.
 10. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 8 wherein said at least one sidewall portion is a tubular shell increasing in diameter from said bottom plate portion.
 11. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 8 wherein said deodorant extends substantially across said vent hole.
 12. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 8 wherein said open-topped container is further comprised of a foot brace flange extending radially outward from at least one of said bottom plate portion and said sidewall portion.
 13. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 8 wherein said deodorant is attached to said outer surface by at least one snap-fit fastener.
 14. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 13 wherein said at least one snap-fit fastener is at least one resilient arm extending from said outer surface of said open-topped container with said at least one resilient arm having a detent structure securing said deodorant to said outer surface.
 15. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 14 wherein said at least one snap-fit fastener is at least one resilient arm extending from said deodorant and through said vent hole with said at least one resilient arm having a detent structure contacting said inner surface and securing said deodorant to said outer surface of said open-topped container.
 16. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 4 wherein said detent structure is releasably attached to a recess formed within said inner surface.
 17. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 8 wherein said deodorant is attached to said outer surface by a cam fastener.
 18. A deodorized trash container comprising: an open-topped container comprised of a bottom plate portion and a tubular shell portion extending from said bottom plate portion; said open-topped container having a top end portion and a bottom end portion with said bottom plate portion therein; said open-topped container having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a vent hole extending between said outer surface and said inner surface; said vent hole and integrated within said bottom end portion of said open-topped container; said inner surface defining a storage cavity and supporting a trash bag; said outer surface defining an exterior; and a deodorant attached to said outer surface and sufficiently distal to said inner surface for increasing storage space within said storage cavity; said storage cavity and said exterior in communication through said deodorant and said vent hole for deodorizing said open-topped container and easily removing said trash bag from said open-topped container.
 19. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 18 wherein said bottom end portion of said tubular shell portion has said vent hole therein.
 20. The deodorized trash container recited in claim 4 wherein said inner surface has a recess with a detent structure of said deodorant therein. 